Water-energy Nexus Registry - Environmental Protection - CA Public Resources

Section § 71420

This section defines key terms used in the part of the law. 'Agency' refers to the California Environmental Protection Agency. 'The Climate Registry' is the nonprofit organization that followed the California Climate Action Registry. 'Registry' is specifically the water-energy nexus registry created by this part of the law.

For purposes of this part, the following terms have the following meanings:

(a) “Agency” means the California Environmental Protection Agency.

(b) “The Climate Registry” means the nonprofit organization that is a successor to the California Climate Action Registry (former Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 42800) of Part 4 of Division 26 of the Health and Safety Code, as added by Section 1 of Chapter 1018 of the Statutes of 2000).

California Environmental Protection Agency California Climate Action Registry The Climate Registry water-energy nexus registry nonprofit organization environmental protection successor organization climate change registry development California environmental law water-energy connection definitions

(Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 596, Sec. 1. (SB 1425) Effective January 1, 2017.)

Section § 71422

This law requires the agency to create a voluntary registry that tracks greenhouse gas emissions related to water and energy usage. Businesses in the state can participate and record their emissions, including those from outside the state. A nonprofit can be contracted to help set up and run this registry, ensuring it follows guidelines from California's Global Warming Solutions Act. This organization will also assist businesses in setting baseline emissions levels and support them in reducing emissions through efficiency measures. The registry is a tool for recognizing and promoting companies that voluntarily cut down on emissions. Contracts for setting up this registry are initially limited to three years, with an option to extend for an additional year.

(a)

(1) The agency shall oversee the development of a registry for greenhouse gas emissions that result from the water-energy nexus using the best-available data.

(2) Participation in the registry shall be voluntary and open to any entity conducting business in the state. A participating entity may register its emissions, including emissions generated outside of the state, on an entitywide basis and may utilize the services of the registry.

(b) The agency may enter into a contract with a qualified nonprofit organization to do all of the following:

(1) Develop, in consultation with the agency and other relevant state agencies, the registry through a public stakeholder process, as determined by the agency. In developing the registry, the chosen qualified nonprofit organization shall consider greenhouse gas emissions accounting methodologies developed as part of programs authorized pursuant to the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (Division 25.5 (commencing with Section 38500) of the Health and Safety Code).

(2) Help participating entities in the state to establish emissions baselines.

(3) Encourage voluntary actions to increase water and energy efficiency measures to reduce the greenhouse gas intensity of the state’s water system.

(4) Enable participating entities to record voluntary entitywide greenhouse gas emissions reductions in a consistent format that is supported by third-party verification.

(5) Recognize, publicize, and promote participating entities making voluntary reductions of greenhouse gas emissions.

(6) Recruit broad participation in the registry from all economic sectors and regions of the state.

(7) Facilitate streamlined data reporting for relevant entities already reporting to the Climate Registry as part of its voluntary corporate greenhouse gas emissions reporting program.

(c)

(1) The contract authorized pursuant to subdivision (b) shall be limited to a term of three years.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the term of the contract may be extended for one year upon the agreement of both parties to the contract.

greenhouse gas emissions water-energy nexus voluntary participation nonprofit organization emissions registry California Global Warming Solutions Act baseline emissions energy efficiency emissions reduction third-party verification emissions accounting public stakeholder process contract term data reporting Climate Registry

(Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 596, Sec. 1. (SB 1425) Effective January 1, 2017.)

Section § 71424

This law states that entities listed in a specific registry might be eligible for financial opportunities, which are essentially incentives to help them reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Pursuant to Section 39712 of the Health and Safety Code, entities participating in the registry may qualify for financing opportunities that provide incentives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

greenhouse gas emissions financing opportunities incentives registry participation environmental finance emission reduction programs green incentives carbon emissions climate change mitigation environmental policy sustainability initiatives green finance participating entities financial incentives environmental impact reduction

(Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 596, Sec. 1. (SB 1425) Effective January 1, 2017.)